Three-member committee to probe semifinal walkout
… GABF president says GABA head should go
By Leeron Brumell
Guyana Chronicle
February 7, 2004
THE Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) has set up a three-member committee to investigate the Central Mackenzie semifinal walkout last weekend in the Carib Malta and Courts Pacesetters-sponsored Inter-ward tournament.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday at the Public Service Union (PSU) Auditorium, Regent and New Garden Streets, GABF president Colonel (Ret.) Godwin McPherson said that he had received confirmation from two of the members approached, to handle the issue.
For this reason he asked that they not be named while he awaits confirmation from all.
The committee comprises business-oriented persons who were and are still involved in sports.
He said that when the committee is fully in place word would be given on the progress of the investigation.
The executives of the federation and the coordinator of the tournament Bobby Cadogan agreed upon the committee at an emergency meeting held last Wednesday.
Details surrounding the incident which occurred last Sunday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall stated that the Linden team Central Mackenzie failed to take the court for their semifinal clash against Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust because they were not pleased with the referees assigned to the game.
Manager/coach of the team Abdulla Hamid and his team refused to take the court after their Linden referee Sherwin Henry was not allowed to officiate in the game.
Hamid had brought Henry down on the night with the hope of having him preside over the game along with another referee.
When this did not happen, Hamid led his team out of the venue, but not before throwing the uniforms to the ground, boarding the bus and heading back to the mining town.
The game was awarded to Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust, who will now play North Ruimveldt in the final starting tonight at the same venue.
McPherson said when the investigation is completed; the committee will recommend what action, if any, should be taken against the persons involved.
He declined to say what the maximum penalty would be for the defaulters.
Meanwhile, the president addressed the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA)/GABF relations issue.
McPherson said that they will be addressing the situation soon, but he opined that the president of GABA should no longer be in that position for a number of reasons.
“I was shocked that the president of GABA had sacked two of its elected members; the action is not considered to be correct and I am urging clubs in Georgetown to get together and correct the situation.”
His second reason, “I do not think he (GABA head) is competent to remain president of GABA, all of you know why.”
The president of the country’s basketball governing body also noted that this should be done to better serve and to develop the game.
This situation comes in the wake of the turmoil of the Under-19 tour to St Lucia last year where it was said that the manager and coordinator of the tour, Eon Andrews and Perry Woolford, incurred a number of debts and were unable to meet them.
McPherson also said that the debt with Caribbean Star Airline has ‘dwindled down’ and it will soon be paid in full.
Meanwhile a number of plans were outlined by the federation for the junior players - both male and female - for the first half of the year.
The plans are aimed at developing talent in the players and also for them to be involved in the Inter-Guiana games and other engagements with Caribbean countries.
Trials will begin today for both male and female players in Georgetown and on the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara, at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.
The trials are set to begin at 09:00 hrs and will have five locals working to select the most talented.
Those on the panel are: Bobby Cadogan, Eon Andrews, Ulric Tappin, Lugard Mohan and Herbert Adams.
Linden and New Amsterdam will stage their trials next weekend.